Vicki Batman's Blog, page 26

Handbags, Books...Whatever guest author Lynda Rees- What is adorable and unique? and The Bloodline Trail

This adorable purse matches absolutely nothing in my wardrobe, but that is part of its charm.
It is one of my favorite colors, has a unique texture, weighs almost nothing empty and holds everything but the kitchen sink. It might hold that too, if I tried to include it.

Deputy Jaiden Coldwater’s fling with Dr. Clay Barnes turns serious, but neither acknowledges it. Visiting Sweetwater to settle his parents’ estate, Clay stumbles on a murder victim; and many look suspicious.  His parents aren’t who he thought and never owned their farm. Clay tries to unravel the mystery, discover who he actually is, and what he wants from life, but may lose it all in a shootout when the murderer goes after the next victim.
He reached and she placed her smaller hand in his. His long fingers wrapped around hers. Her dark skin looked awkwardly cozy enveloped by his palm.
She let him tug her to the dining room. He released her, and her hand was emptier than it had been previously.
He grinned and winked. “Good thing I talked you into sticking around. I like how you think.” He brought her fingers to his lips for a quick kiss. His breath tingled on her skin. Moisture from his lips sealed a connection sending a zip of electricity surging through her. Her heart sang for joy.
“Play your cards well. I might do that.”
He dragged her into the living room flipping a sheet off exposing a worn, leather sofa. He marched to a wall beside a dresser. Peeling paper curled at corners. He snatched a strip and yanked. Paper ripped peeling a thick strip off. A layer of hundred-dollar bills glued attached to the back of the strip in Clay’s hand.
“What the—?”
Her mouth flopped open and her eyes widened. She moved closer to paper dangling from the wall. “It appears your parents left you an inheritance besides real estate.”

Find The Bloodline Trail at: Amazon

Find Lynda Rees at: Website

Book and Bag! Celebrating Annual Fun Day #happybirthday #birthdaycake #holidayanthology

Yesterday, was annual fun day and I really love what Handsome gave me. 

We vacationed in one of our favorite spots, Colorado Springs. We saw a bear in someone's backyard, lots of rabbits, a doe sleeping in the flower bed, and three large bucks: 

We attended a nearby art festival. Didn't buy anything this year, but loved being outdoors and truly appreciate the creativity. 


One morning, we were up at 5:30 to see the balloon festival. We stood amongst many balloons being unrolled, inflated, and finally, a pop upright for lifting off. Here's a scene:

Handsome and I celebrated our anniversary over a dinner at a hotel restaurant. #1 and #2 son went with us and we had great laughs and good food. For dessert, this: 

So like all vacations, time does fly by and we began our drive home through thick fog which disappeared when we crested a hill. We drove the small backroad and popped out to the main highway. Then Handsome said he wanted to go to the Palo Duro Canyon. Yes! On board instantly. We drove scenic state highway 207 from Claude, Texas which looped back near Childress, Texas. As we drove toward the canyon, we were liking the ranch and farm land we saw, but more eager to see the canyon and then the road dropped and the vista opened up to the canyon. Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest in the U.S., the largest being the Grand Canyon. The road twisted and turned until we came to the rest stop and saw this: 
Cooling down in your neck of the woods? Here's something to cozy up to:

Amazon      Barnes & Noble      Kobo



Happy Annual Fun Day!

CUT!! Costumes in Movies, part 3 #historicalromance #moviecostumes #readromance

From the overlook on the second floor, you get an aerial look of the first floor exhibit. At the far upper left is the costume from Pirates of the Carribean. In the middle next to the pole is Kate Winslet's from Sense and Sensibility. At the bottom left is:

a day dress worn by Renee Zellweger from Miss Potter:

another day dress:
a dressing gown worn by Kate Winslet from Finding Neverland, and below it is a close up of the work on the hem:
Stunning--right?

Nothing historical in these stories, but everything hysterical. Find your fun at many e-trailers, including: Amazon 

CUT! Costume in Movies part 2 #historicalromance #costumesformovies #MFRWorg

I'm continuing my look at CUT! with a special look at embroidery which is near and dear to my heart. My grandmother sat me down at age nine and handed me a pillowcase, stamped with a kitten stepping on a fork. Of course, I stitched the cat in gray after my real cat Smokey.

I only wish my stitching was as glorious as these:




















Here's the dress Kate Winslet wore in Sense and Sensibility:  


















And a somber black dress:  This one is interesting with the collar and the draping.



Nothing historical in these stories, but everything hysterical. Find your fun at many e-trailers, including: Amazon 

Vicki Batman HBW: CUT! Costume in the Cinema post one #historicalcostumes #historicalfilms #romance

Recently, I attended CUT! Costume in the Cinema exhibit. Costumes and clothing are near and dear to my heart as I was a clothing and textiles major in college. I grew up with a Mom who sewed, although I was terrible at it. She made beautiful Chanel styled suits and dresses for me for work and even some for parties.
Thus, my appreciation.
The exhibit features 43 costumes from 27 films. Some highlights are Johnny Depp’s outfit from Pirates of the Caribbean, Kate Winslet’s robe from Finding Neverland, Emily Rossum’s stunning ballgown from Phantom of the Opera. British costumer Cosprop Ltd. earned its first Academy Award for Costume Design in 1986 for A Room With A View, and has won many more since. These opulent costumes are crafted of sumptuous fabrics and decorated with intricate embroidery and lace.From Everlasting, Angelica Huston's costume:     







From Pirates of the Caribbean worn by Johnny Depp: 







A stunning black gown: 







And what you always wanted to see-undies: 



Nothing historical in these stories, but everything hysterical. Find your fun at many e-trailers, including: Amazon 

Handbags, Books...Whatever guest author is Lynda Rees - An Adorable Charmer and her book, Horseshoes & Roses

This adorable little charmer is a lucky find from a consignment shop in Northern Kentucky. I adore using it, especially when I travel and want to whittle down the load I carry. It says it’s a Gucci, but who knows? I could be best buds with an imposter. As long as she holds up looking like new, she’ll stay my best pal. HORSESHOES & ROSES is a romantic suspense is set in rural, horse country Kentucky.It’s book 7 of The Bloodline Series, by Lynda Rees inspired by my husband’s brilliant mind and an acquaintance. Meet Moggie and Dovie in Sweetwater, Kentucky.Running from a philandering husband and a dangerous stalker, Dovie Fuller-Dane moves to her haven homestead in Sweetwater, KY to care for her ailing grandmother. Reconnecting family and friend ties, she discovers an ideal location for her new restaurant and gets a chance with the man she loved since puberty. A surprise in Gran’s will sends her reeling into the arms of her stalker. Can she escape his murderous plan and find lasting love while her world spins apart?

“Could you sign here please?” Dovie wrote her name on the pad and handed the man a five from her pocket. “Thanks.” She sat the box on the table and smiled at Sage. “Who would send me flowers? Sage shrugged. Dovie flipped the string from the box. Removing the top cover revealing a dozen long-stemmed white roses, Dovie’s breath caught in a frightening way, and she back-stepped putting distance between her and the package. A look of panic crossed her face.Sage placed a gentle hand on Dovie’s shoulder. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”Dovie blinked and shook her head. “Is—is—there a note?” She eyed the box like she feared coming closer.Sage reached inside retrieving a small note. She started to hand it to Dovie who threw a hand up resisting. She opened it and read. “It won’t be long now. It’s not signed. Who’s it from?” She eyed her new friend cautiously.“Oh, God, no. Not again. He’s followed me. This can’t happen.” Dovie’s face blanched white as Sage’s farmer’s cheese.Find Horseshoes & Roses at: Amazon
Find Lynda Rees at: Website

Book and Bag guest Lyncee Shillard - Why Do I Have to HAVE This??? #wantthis #mermaidromance #MFRWorg

Sadly, I don’t have it yet.

Vicki Batman - You know what’s really annoying? #MFRWorg #readromance #householdchores

I try not to be a gripey person. I take on tasks I dislike and finish them. However, there is one household chore I really dislike, and I think you’ll be surprised when I say... Changing out the toilet paper tube for a fresh roll.

Yep, the springy thing bouncing all over the room, getting on hands and knees and finding it, and pushing all just so to get it back in the holder drives me crazy. I wish I had installed the kind where the roll slips over the rod.

Silly, isn’t it?A few years back, Handsome informed me he intensely dislikes putting sheets on the bed. I have to admit our bed can be challenging. Even using deep pocket sheets, tugging the corners into place takes a strong arm. Handsome has ripped a few. Finally, I decided to just cover the thick top pad only. Problem solved? Yes; however, he still hates helping. He’d rather wash the dogs.Sometimes, writing drives me crazy . There will be a story I’m working on with a difficult problem and I am reluctant to go back and tackle it. The truth is my head will worry and worry and I’ll get some ideas. I write them down, saving for when I’m ready. But the project is always there, almost nagging me. Eventually, I do go back and when I do, HALLELUJAH! The truth is the problem may or may not be solved. I usually chip away at it through rewriting and editing, and then my issue will be resolved. Not ideal but is the truth.Many years ago, I critiqued six 1,000 words short stories for a friend and in doing so, learned how to write short stories. I also learned what is really important for very short stories. Other authors say they can’t write that short. I believe it is just a matter of keeping an eye on the word count and determining what is needed for the story. A little hard work. Totally worth it. Better than changing the toilet paper roll. Eleven 1,000 word cute meet, clean and whole some short stories full of fun and forever possibilities. Find yours at: Amazon

Like Short Stories? Check out my new venture: Short Stories Rock  I'm giving away and e-book. Comment on the post on FB.

What is your most dreaded chore?

Author Veronica Scott on Handbag and Book - Writing about ancient Egypt #handtooledhandbag #ancientEgypt #thriftstorefind

I used to love to go to thrift stores on the weekends and on one trip a few years ago I found this purse for $1.00! It’s special to me because I write a paranormal romance series set in ancient Egypt and of course the symbols on the leather, with the scarab reaching toward the sun and the faux hieroglyphics all reminded me of my love for everything relating to ancient Egypt.
Unfortunately the purse has no maker’s mark or place of origin so I have no idea where it actually came from but I’ve never seen anything like it before. It’s my little inside joke when I’m carrying it (especially if I’m wearing one of my T shirts with an Egyptian scene) because I do write the series and not that many people write fiction about ancient Egypt. But if someone comments on the purse, then I tell them about the books!  An ancient evil wants Lady Tuya for its own dark purposes…Pharaoh has sent help but will Captain Khian arrive in time to save the kidnapped lady he loves?

The scribe had them line up off to the side, awaiting their moment with Pharaoh, who was still speaking with a group of ambassadors. “Your name will be called and then move forward in front of the throne. Salute and stand at attention.”“We’ll do as you instruct.” Khian clenched his hand on the hilt of his sword. He gazed across the chamber while he waited, taking in the crowd of courtiers attending the audience. For the most part the nobles, officers and functionaries were a blur of painted faces, fine clothes and elaborate jewelry but one woman caught his attention. She sat near the queen, so was obviously high ranking, but her expression was sweet rather than haughty and she stared at him as if trying to give him encouragement. Could she tell he was nervous about committing an inadvertent error of royal protocol? The lady smiled, plying her ostrich feather fan flirtatiously. He made a slight bow to her, before he abruptly remembered where he was.
If I may add one thing, my latest book in the series, Lady of the Nile, was just named as a Finalist in the Romance Writers of America FF&P PRISM contest. I’m beaming!Find Lady of the Nile at: AmazonFind Veronica Scott at: Website


So loverly to have you visit today, Veronica, and congratulations on the contest final. 

HBW - Vicki: Short Stories - I have the attention of a gnat #readromance #MFRWorg #giveaway

I write a lot of short stories. When it comes to writing a book, I have the attention of a gnat. Writing a short story, and maybe it is psychological, is easier. A lot of the stories are cute meets. Some dwell on issues of cheating, meanness, jealousy, self-image. All have a HEA.

The big question is: Are Short Stories as Satisfying as a Book?

I say yes.

I have told people/potential readers about my work and have heard, "I don't read short stories, only books."

I'm guessing they want the longer experience when reading. Or perhaps, they were turned off by those weird shorts we had to read in high school. In today's publishing, there are short stories of all kinds. Some authors use this venue for in between books to hold readers' interest.

Whatever the reason, I decided to try something else. I created the Facebook page, Short Stories Rock. Facebook I'm hoping new readers discover these delights and authors tell us about their work.

To kick off Short Stories Rock, I'm having a Facebook drawing. Go to: Facebook, find today's link and comment. On August 17, I'll do three drawings for an e-copy of Just Desserts...and Other Stories.
https://www.facebook.com/Short-Storie... the typewriter quote is from an upcoming holiday story featured in an anthology. Isn't it fun?